Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.

One of my fav places to look around . I got a couple pieces there myself both good deals.

Then later to Radio Free Italy when they had the pizza and pasta salad buffet on the second level of the mezzanine about 6 dollars at lunch with ice water and 2 dollars tip dirt cheap and way good . Sad to see all those smaller places go to put that other place in Ive never spend a dime in. A Korean had Larrys Cookies there about 1989 when they first opened the food court I got some cookies and Ice cream from him time to time, very few customers then and I felt sorry for him, 5 years later he was going to the bank by the hour, one hard working man and his family to realize the true American Dream through work and business, Ill spare you the rest of my bitchfest of some newcomers today LOL!

Fran Conia Wrote:
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> AERIAL VIEW OF FOUR MILE RUN BRIDGE LOOKING
> NORTHEAST - George Washington Memorial Parkway.
> Are those parked cars at the top of the picture
> and if so why are they parked there?

Looking at historicaerials.com, those buildings were there in 1994, but had been replaced by an expanded parking lot by 2002.

I noticed that the building for sale at 7929 Westpark Drive in Tysons Corner looks exactly like the building that was at the corner of Rt.123 and Anderson Road that was torn down several years ago to build condos. They are/were octagonal shaped three story buildings that were very unique looking. Anyone know why there were two identical buildings a short distance from one another? Kinda unusual to build something architecturally unique and then repeat it a mile or so away. Just curious if anyone knows the history of these structures.

About that helicopter...
Bernie was a good man. I worked on and off for Bernie for a few years in the mid-60's when I was 16-17 years old and I towed that helicopter ride all over the place, from Richmond to Bethesda. Often in an old step-van with a couple of ponies in the back.

I once took a pony to Robert Kennedy's daughter's birthday at his place on the Potomac. I set up a little ring with some rope and stands then walked her and her friends around for an hour or so. I recall the daughter asked if the pony would jump. They invited me into the kitchen and treated me to a piece of birthday cake.

Earlier that day I had picked up the helicopter ride in Richmond and it was still behind the truck (that was the first time I had ever driven a truck and trailer) It was almost impossible to back up. Narrower than the truck you couldn't see it in the mirrors until it was jack-knifed. Robert Kennedy's place was a grand old home overlooking the river on a dead end street. I pulled right up to the fence overlooking the river and parked. Some of you already know where I'm going with this! It took me several hours to back out of there. So long that it was well after dark before I was done and turned around. I didn't get back to the stable until after 9:00 o'clock that night.

Bernie had several little "carnival rides" that he would bring to church fairs and similar events. One of which was a bright red Nash Metropolitan convertible that was hand-made into a hook and ladder fire truck. Once while delivering it I was caught in 5:00 o'clock belt-way traffic. So? I turned on the red flashing light and the siren and passed everyone for miles on the outside shoulder. Laughing all the way. If you could only have seen the looks as this diminutive fire engine with an hysterical boy driving it passed them by.

Bernie always had a brand new Cadillac, his "old one" would be up on blocks with an electric drill running the odometer back until he could sell it. Which took weeks as I recall.

The little train ride set-up was a hateful thing, it was constantly breaking down and was so heavy it took 4 or 5 of us to lift the engine out of the truck and set-up not to mention all the sections of heavy steel track. That wasn't a ride we took out every time. We once set it up in the parking lot of the Kings Park shopping center. I think there was a big church there?

Bernie was a confirmed bachelor and he took good care of his ponies. He really liked them, they all had names and their own tack and stalls. He knew each one's personality and would select a certain pony for a given venue. There were maybe 10 or so of those cute and rather clever beasts.
The stable/barn was between 236 and the Mantua development and many of us (really just boys) hung out there. And you can only imagine what went on up in a 40 foot long hayloft...

Sugarloaf Mountain Man Wrote:
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> Is That pointed mountain in the right horizon
> background of the Dulles terminal in 1976
> Sugarloaf Mt in Md. I think it is now as the view
> is from the west to the east

Yes, that pointed "mountain" is Sugarloaf. More of a hill than a mountain though. The view is almost due North from the airport into Maryland.

Sugarloaf Mountain Man Wrote:
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> Is That pointed mountain in the right horizon
> background of the Dulles terminal in 1976
> Sugarloaf Mt in Md. I think it is now as the view
> is from the west to the east

Sleepy Holla Wrote:
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> Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > People say this is the Annandale road Red Barn.
> > I'm not so sure about that. What do you guys
> > think?
>
>
> I say no...I never remember anything to the left
> of RB...we moved off SH road in 1967. Here it is
> in later life...just tress to the left and a
> Service Station on the rt set back a ways.

Sleepy is right.
My girlfriend in high school worked at the one on Annandale Rd.

The good people at the Virginia room in the Fairfax county library are asking for help identifying this Fairfax county public school. Anybody know for sure where this is? By the way, the Virginia room people are in the process of going through hundreds if not thousands of old images in their archives for release to the public at some point. Volunteers are doing the work so it may take awhile.
Attachments:

That movie came out in 1966 but that theater always showed earlier films, especially if they were risque. That may very well be one of my bicycles in front of the Pet Center as it was a regular haunt for me as a child. Centre Theater was known for showing X films like Clockwork Orange, Midnight Cowboy etc. I remember sneaking in the back door to see Easy Rider when I was 12. Good times!

cameltoad Wrote:
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> Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Centre theatre Quaker lane, date unknown.
>
>
> That movie came out in 1966 but that theater
> always showed earlier films, especially if they
> were risque. That may very well be one of my
> bicycles in front of the Pet Center as it was a
> regular haunt for me as a child. Centre Theater
> was known for showing X films like Clockwork
> Orange, Midnight Cowboy etc. I remember sneaking
> in the back door to see Easy Rider when I was 12.
> Good times!

Andy Ratlips Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The good people at the Virginia room in the
> Fairfax county library are asking for help
> identifying this Fairfax county public school.
> Anybody know for sure where this is? By the way,
> the Virginia room people are in the process of
> going through hundreds if not thousands of old
> images in their archives for release to the public
> at some point. Volunteers are doing the work so it
> may take awhile.

cameltoad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Centre theatre Quaker lane, date unknown.
>
>
> That movie came out in 1966 but that theater
> always showed earlier films, especially if they
> were risque. That may very well be one of my
> bicycles in front of the Pet Center as it was a
> regular haunt for me as a child. Centre Theater
> was known for showing X films like Clockwork
> Orange, Midnight Cowboy etc. I remember sneaking
> in the back door to see Easy Rider when I was 12.
> Good times!
Attachments:

I went there and there’s no part of the school that looks like that photo with topography, parking, and trees combined. Lot facing front is flat, side facing gallows had no parking, behind was the field/soccer area and the big ass blacktop where I ran like the wind doing my 50 yard dash in record time. teachers, students, and the green uniformed janitor people that roamed the joint were amazed.

I agree that many of these 1950s FCPS elementary schools looked alike -- pick a design and stay with it, economies of scale. That being said many renovations and changes to the outside of these schools have happened since then (60/50 years).

I am vaguely remembering that Woodburn did have a parking lot to the right side of the building before Gallows was widened into a four lane road. I think the state took the west/north bound side of the road for the expansion.

But there are several schools in that area that looked similar. Walnut Hill, Westover, etc.

Seminary Röder Wrote:
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> Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Centre theatre Quaker lane, date unknown.
>
>
> Knocked down in the early 80s. On that site a
> People’s was built, now a CVS.
>
> Still a nice block of stores, as a kid we went to
> Baskin Robbins there, and when I graduated from
> milkshakes to adult beverages, Ramparts was always
> a go to. Still is.

I beg to differ as I grew up there, and drove through yesterday as a matter of fact. That People's Drug (now CVS) was always there, and would be in that picture too if it was panned more to the left. That was a Greyhound Bus Station on the left end, the main drive through Fairlington is still there too. Took many a bus outta there. I also took guitar lessons at the Music & Arts store on the other side of the theater, as well as graduated nearby TC Williams in 76, so I walked by there every single day, except when it rained and I took a schoolbus home. Yes, that whole section was torn down in the 80's, but is now a parking lot with an office bldg in the middle (behind where the theater was). The Chinese Carry Out next to Baskin Robbins was called "Chicken Delight" and was one of the 1st places to deliver, My friend Bob was a driver. There was also a Scwinn Bicycle store in there for forever (same old grumpy guy always smoking Lucky Strikes charged too much for everything), and a crappy little record shop in that strip during the early 70's.

Anyone remember Punky Meadows? He grew up in that hood too, we literally did go over his house and listen to them (Cherry People/Angel) practice, just like in the Zappa song that pokes fun at him!
Attachments:

The Centre Theatre adjoined the Fairlington Shopping Center. The Centre Theatre was built in 1945 and torn down in June 1986 when Lindsay Cadillac made way for a new Cadillac lot. There was an old school pizza joint called Mabel’s which was next to the center complete with old jukeboxes at each table.

The Centre Theatre was a good sized single screen theatre, designed by architect John Eberson, with A.O. Budina as associate architect. It was almost identical to the Glebe/Dominion Theatre in Arlington, VA.

By the late-1970’s early-1980’s they showed second runs of mainstream films for reduced prices. The balcony was closed off at this point and the screen was a bit beaten up as I recall. The Centre Theatre was closed in 1985.

Class of 76 Wrote:
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> Solid info above.
>
> Wave to my home boy.
>
> Grew up on the other side of town but Alexandria
> was a much smaller place back then so you knew
> most all of it and about everyone in the school.
>
>
> More:
>
> src="http://photos.cinematreasures.org/production/
> photos/8730/1309557568/large.JPG?1309557568">
>
> http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/19380/photos/8
> 730
>
>
> The Centre Theatre adjoined the Fairlington
> Shopping Center. The Centre Theatre was built in
> 1945 and torn down in June 1986 when Lindsay
> Cadillac made way for a new Cadillac lot. There
> was an old school pizza joint called Mabel’s
> which was next to the center complete with old
> jukeboxes at each table.
>
> The Centre Theatre was a good sized single screen
> theatre, designed by architect John Eberson, with
> A.O. Budina as associate architect. It was almost
> identical to the Glebe/Dominion Theatre in
> Arlington, VA.
>
> By the late-1970’s early-1980’s they showed
> second runs of mainstream films for reduced
> prices. The balcony was closed off at this point
> and the screen was a bit beaten up as I recall.
> The Centre Theatre was closed in 1985.

Thanks! Holla!

Would love to see some pics of old Del Ray, Arlandria, Olde Town, anything Alexandria.

cameltoad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Class of 76 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Solid info above.
> >
> > Wave to my home boy.
> >
> > Grew up on the other side of town but
> Alexandria
> > was a much smaller place back then so you knew
> > most all of it and about everyone in the school.
>
> >
> >
> > More:
> >
> > >
> src="http://photos.cinematreasures.org/production/
>
> > photos/8730/1309557568/large.JPG?1309557568">
> >
> >
> http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/19380/photos/8
>
> > 730
> >
> >
> > The Centre Theatre adjoined the Fairlington
> > Shopping Center. The Centre Theatre was built
> in
> > 1945 and torn down in June 1986 when Lindsay
> > Cadillac made way for a new Cadillac lot. There
> > was an old school pizza joint called Mabel’s
> > which was next to the center complete with old
> > jukeboxes at each table.
> >
> > The Centre Theatre was a good sized single
> screen
> > theatre, designed by architect John Eberson,
> with
> > A.O. Budina as associate architect. It was
> almost
> > identical to the Glebe/Dominion Theatre in
> > Arlington, VA.
> >
> > By the late-1970’s early-1980’s they showed
> > second runs of mainstream films for reduced
> > prices. The balcony was closed off at this
> point
> > and the screen was a bit beaten up as I recall.
> > The Centre Theatre was closed in 1985.
>
>
> Thanks! Holla!
>
> Would love to see some pics of old Del Ray,
> Arlandria, Olde Town, anything Alexandria.

Remember in the 70s some hippy dude with a ladder on top of his VW bus would go around to different Peoples drug stores in the middle of the night and paint the signs to make them say LSD?
Attachments:

cameltoad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seminary Röder Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Centre theatre Quaker lane, date unknown.
> >
> >
> > Knocked down in the early 80s. On that site a
> > People’s was built, now a CVS.
> >
> > Still a nice block of stores, as a kid we went
> to
> > Baskin Robbins there, and when I graduated from
> > milkshakes to adult beverages, Ramparts was
> always
> > a go to. Still is.
>
>
>
>
> I beg to differ as I grew up there, and drove
> through yesterday as a matter of fact. That
> People's Drug (now CVS) was always there, and
> would be in that picture too if it was panned more
> to the left. That was a Greyhound Bus Station on
> the left end, the main drive through Fairlington
> is still there too. Took many a bus outta there. I
> also took guitar lessons at the Music & Arts store
> on the other side of the theater, as well as
> graduated nearby TC Williams in 76, so I walked by
> there every single day, except when it rained and
> I took a schoolbus home. Yes, that whole section
> was torn down in the 80's, but is now a parking
> lot with an office bldg in the middle (behind
> where the theater was). The Chinese Carry Out next
> to Baskin Robbins was called "Chicken Delight" and
> was one of the 1st places to deliver, My friend
> Bob was a driver. There was also a Scwinn Bicycle
> store in there for forever (same old grumpy guy
> always smoking Lucky Strikes charged too much for
> everything), and a crappy little record shop in
> that strip during the early 70's.
>
> Anyone remember Punky Meadows? He grew up in that
> hood too, we literally did go over his house and
> listen to them (Cherry People/Angel) practice,
> just like in the Zappa song that pokes fun at him!

I stand completely corrected, and appreciate you jogging my memory. You are indeed right about the above.

I do remember Spokes Etc being there, and the 16 year olds who worked there would treat the young kids like crap. It inspired me to get my drivers license ASAP.

Around the corner in Bradlee was GC Murphy, which had an awesome lunch counter that always had a cloud of cigarette smoke above it.

blanche Wrote:
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> Yes, I remember Transpo '72.
>
> It was the first time that I saw Honda cars versus
> being a motorcycle manufacturer.
>
> Blue Angels/Thunderbirds has a crash and I think
> two pilots were killed.
>
> The TJ band helped with parking cars -- I can't
> imagine any insurance company being happy with
> that now days -- and got money for their new band
> uniforms. Plus we got out of school to do
> that!!!
>
> Good times, well except for the jets crashing...

blanche Wrote:
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> I'm not sure but is it the block on Route 29
> (Washington Street) just after Broad Street and
> before the State Theatre?
>
> The building beyond the strip of shops looks like
> it might be the State Theatre. I think the water
> tower is still there.

Here is the renovated strip shops on Washington Street with the State Theatre to the left. No water tower though? The street gradient and the overall length of the group of shop looks right. I tried searches of the restaurants in the photo and could not come up with anything.

I think you guys nailed it the first building on the rt was obviously torn down...the sign in the window states "Moved-New Location to 343 W Broad St". Old Nova pics also has a listing of State Theater and Water tower.

Lums and Howard Johnsons restaurants: Wish they were still there! The Howard Johnson's restaurant, on the other side of what became the Commerce St bridge, and motel were still accessible to each other under the bridge.

Springfielder1 Wrote:
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> Lums and Howard Johnsons restaurants: Wish they
> were still there! The Howard Johnson's restaurant,
> on the other side of what became the Commerce St
> bridge, and motel were still accessible to each
> other under the bridge.
>
> The Logan Ford area was bought by Lidl grocery
> store.
>
>
>
> Andy Ratlips Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Skylark motel sign on route 95, Springfield
> > Virginia. Skylark was rebranded as a Howard
> > Johnson's in 1958. Aerial view of that general
> > area. Images courtesy of Robyn Carter.

Oh to be young again and having a frozen schooner of ice cold draft beer at Lums on a hot summer day. Not to mention going to Howard Johnsons on clam night for unlimited fried clams, fries and coleslaw. I can live without the HoJo cola though, give me a RC or Pepsi.

That's when Fairfax Elementary was the Northern Va Criminal Justice Academy. They trained FCPD and the area sheriffs animal control Town of Vienna Herndon Fairfax City Falls Church PD Arlington County PD and maybe Alexandria police

Around 1987 Fairfax left the area pact to train all these officers and remodeled Pineridge School to be a 911 center police special units complex with the FXCO training academy which trained all LEOs and animal control officers located in Fairfax County leaving Arlington and Alex to do there own thing. Around the late 90s they moved the training academy to the former H & K firearms plant out in Chantilly and that's where its been since with a pistol rife range and car driving track nearby